Sunday, June 28, 2015

I will admit it: I am clumsy. I am a hazard to myself. So when the maxi dress fashion trend started a few years ago, I didn't partake it. I was afraid I was going to trip over the long hem while chasing after 2 young kids.

Since the June theme for MAGAM (Make A Garment A Month) challenge was 'stash busting', I had been going through my enormous fabric stash and found many interesting but forgotten fabrics. One of them is this nice stretchy polyester knit that has black and white small oval print on it. When I picked it out of the storage, it instantly said 'maxi dress' to me. I thought I would make a maxi dress for myself for this summer with the condition that I only wear it while hubby is out with me helping to 'catch' the 2 kids.

I rummaged through my pattern stash and found McCall's 6612. I like the slight A-line look of View D. It was obviously going to be a very easy and quick dress to make. I used size 14 on the top and narrow it to size 12 at the hips. I omitted the cowl neck because it would be too hot for the summer. I also made my usual short waist adjustment. I added a centre back seam to allow for my sway back adjustment but it wasn't necessary since the weight of the fabric was pulling the dress down so it didn't bunch up at the back. I also shortened the hem by 6cm because of my short stature. The neckline was finished with a clear elastic sewn to the seam allowance and then folded to the wrong side (I learned that from watching 'Sewing with Nancy'). The only thing that bothers me a bit is that the armhole gapes a little when my arms rest a certain way (you can see that gaping in the photo below at my right arm). I will need to figure out if that has anything to do with my barrel chest or my sloping shoulders.

I am quite pleased with the result. It's very comfortable to wear. The print of the fabric helps camouflage my mommy tummy a bit. Even hubby said I looked good in it. Usually he would either say 'it's okay' or 'no good'. I do have to watch my steps so that I don't step on it. I certainly don't think I can run after the kids in this dress. I think it's one of those dresses that I can go to the beach or dress it up for a dinner date. Since it's knit, it won't wrinkle and it's travel friendly. Another quick and easy summer dress!

Friday, June 26, 2015

I needed some summer tops that are not the usual long sleeves tunics. I searched through my fabric stash and found this black linen remnants from making my linen shorts and jackets (see the jacket and shorts here). I had just enough for a tank top. I decided that I would make a loose tank top with New Look 6752 in my stash. I had used this pattern to make 2 dresses before (here and here).

This is a super easy and quick to make pullover top. I made the this in hip length and added a curved hem in the front only. I wanted it to disguise my mommy tummy. I used a black satin binding to bind the neckline to make it more dressy. However, it doesn`t really show well in the photos:

Thursday, June 25, 2015

I had lots of old men's jeans given to me by family members. I used lots of them for making jeans for my son. But then I was left with all these denim scraps.

As the school year was ending, I thought I would make some upcycled denim bags for the teachers as thank you gifts. It was quite fun to try to figure out how to put the pieces together! Here are the results:

Monday, June 15, 2015

The June MAGAM pink silk noil dress is done! It was quick and easy to do. However, to be honest, I'm not in love with it. I know from the pattern envelope that it's supposed to be very loose but I think it's too loose on me and make me look bigger than I actually am. I tried wearing a belt with it but it was worse.

I need to salvage this dress somehow. What do you think? Should I narrow the dress a bit from the side seams? Should I turn it into a top?

Sunday, June 14, 2015

The June theme for the Make A Garment a Month is 'Stashbuster'. I mostly sew with Stash Fabrics and Stash Patterns already so this is an easy one for me. I have had this Pink Silk Noil fabric in my stash for a good 6 years. It has a slight drape, a nubby texture and it is similar to a lightweight denim in terms of weight. As for the pattern, I am going to give this Simplicity 3532 pattern another go. The last try wasn't exactly successful. But I thought it may work better with a more drapey fabric like this silk noil.